Do you long to simplify?

Do you often feel like your life is too busy and find yourself longing to simplify? Well you’re in good company here friend, because for a long time I struggled with this too.

It’s so easy to fall into the trap of believing that ‘more’ is always the better option; more activity, more effort, more money, more knowledge, more responsibility, more things…

Often ‘more’ can sound like the most spiritual or selfless option too, can’t it? More commitment, more activity, more self-sacrifice, more service.

But the truth is that sometimes less is more. Less rushing around, less cramming things in, less spreading yourself too thin, and less pushing yourself so hard can be much more beneficial.

I recently published Sand Between Your Toes, a devotional book which covers 100 different bible-based reflections & practical tips on slower, simpler, more soulful living. And as a taster, I thought I would share a few of my personal favourite tips and ideas for simpler living with you below:

1. Learn to prioritise

How do you simplify your life? Well, the single best solution that I have ever discovered is simply by learning to prioritise better.

Too often life can feel like an endless stack of priorities we are expected to balance; our career, marriage, family, friendships, fitness, spiritual life and more - each one demanding more time and attention than we are able to give.

Sometimes we can fool ourselves that we are doing a good job, keeping all those balls up in the air - but often our anxiety and irritability levels really give us away, and sooner or later something is bound to drop.

So let me ask you a simple question: Do you know what your priorities are right now? Because if you don’t, or cant articulate it clearly then you will probably end up running around trying to do everything.

It’s much better to pick one or perhaps two priorities in each season of life - and then really focus in on doing them well- rather than trying to do ALL of the things, only to end up feeling overwhelmed and failing fast!

But perhaps more difficult than identifying that you need to prioritise better, is deciding what those priorities will actually be, since there are just so many good things you could be doing with your time.

So how do you really know what to prioritise and what you will need to let go of? Well personally, I think it starts with a conversation with God: “Lord, what do you want me to do in this season? What is mine to pick up, and what do I need to lay down?”

It’s so much easier to become intentional with your time, when you know what God is actually calling you to.

 2. Try saying no

If you find regularly over-extended and spread too thinly, try using this magic little two letter word ‘no’.

It sounds so easy doesn’t it, but sometimes turning down a project, and choosing to saying ‘no’ or ‘not right now’ to things that might have previously been a ‘yes’ can feel hard.

After all, yes is the word that makes things happen! And it often seems like a more spiritual option too.

But often we’re really just saying yes out of habit, or people-pleasing, or a scarcity mindset, or because we have a fear of missing out.

It can also be so easy to slip into believing that saying yes is always the better option, because yes is the word that makes things happen. If we don’t do it, who will? And so often we end up putting the needs of everyone else before our own.

But saying no when you already feel overstretched and overloaded in order to prioritize the health of your own soul is not selfish; it’s necessary. And it’s also the right thing to do, both for you and for those around you. You simply can’t give out of what you don’t have.

So choose to start simplifying your life in order to prioritise the health of your soul.

 3. Declutter your space

It’s probably no great surprise that minimalism has made such a mark recently in a world that’s become so obsessed with consumerism and the pursuit of ‘more’.

Whilst I could hardly label myself a minimalist; my home is as full of stuff as anyone’s. But I do think there’s something so satisfying about getting rid of unnecessary clutter and choosing to live more lightly and freely instead.

But for me, the idea of paring down on possessions goes far beyond the mere aesthetic of a tidy home, or even the practical benefits of simplifying or streamlining my life. It’s also a spiritual practice too, since the simple habit of regularly clearing my my home of any excess stuff I no longer need, reminds me of how I don’t want to become so weighed down, tied up, or distracted by material things that I risk missing anything that God has for me… 

So nowadays, my basic rule is that if I haven’t used or worn something in the past 12 months, then chances are I probably never will. It’s time to clear it out and give it away to someone who needs it more – because an uncluttered home, really is an uncluttered heart. 

How about you? Could you simplify your life by getting rid of what you don’t need? Have a clear out. Get some bin liners and bag up everything you don’t regularly use, and/or don’t really love. Give it away to someone who needs it more than you.

Try lightening the load by getting rid of excess stuff you don’t need.

 4. Turn down the noise

Do you often feel stressed out or mentally harassed by the endless ‘to do’ list in your head? Or mentally overwhelmed and exhausted by the endless streams of information constantly vying for your attention?

The digital age has created a world where our minds are just constantly bombarded by noise, and where true silence is becoming harder and harder to find.

Maybe there’s a direct correlation between the amount of noise we allow into our lives and our inability to hear God’s voice as clearly or as often as we would like to. And so maybe we also need to be more deliberate and disciplined about turning it down at times.

Practising this might feel a bit unnatural at first - but why not just start small?

Try spending just 10 minutes being completely silent before God today - no words, and no agenda. Just listen and hold space for his presence. Don’t worry if your mind drifts off; just gently keep bringing it back. And as you get more practiced, you could stretch yourself for longer periods too…

Who knows, but perhaps you might find the silence speaking to you loudly!

5. Deal with distraction

I recognise that distraction is not only caused by technology, but I do think that mobile phones are one of the biggest time drains and distractions of our day.

According to the latest research, the average person checks their phone 33 times every day and spends at least 1 hour 40 minutes browsing on it. If that seems like a lot of time – that’s because it is!

Is it any wonder that we often feel mentally harassed and like there’s not enough hours in the day? If like me, you often struggle to unplug, unwind and rest your mind, perhaps it’s time to consider doing a digital detox.

Why not start by considering some personal boundaries or setting some simple household rules around mobile phone use? You could try a day or an evening a week where you go completely device free. Or if that sounds too much of a leap, decide a time that you will switch off your phone/laptop/tablet etc each evening and not look at it again. Or perhaps set a ‘no phones at the table’ rule during family meals.

Figure out what will work for you, agree it with those around you, and then just stick to it…

Don’t let technology steal away your time, your intention, and your peace…

Subscribe to Notes On Life

Sign up via my substack to receive new blog posts straight to your inbox.

Subscribe here